'Reprieve' definitions:
Definition of 'reprieve'
From: WordNet
noun
A (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort [syn: reprieve, respite]
noun
An interruption in the intensity or amount of something [syn: suspension, respite, reprieve, hiatus, abatement]
noun
A warrant granting postponement (usually to postpone the execution of the death sentence)
noun
The act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment [syn: reprieve, respite]
verb
Postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution [syn: reprieve, respite]
verb
Relieve temporarily
Definition of 'Reprieve'
From: GCIDE
- Reprieve \Re*prieve\ (r?-pr?v"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reprieved (-pr?vd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Reprieving.] [OE. repreven to reject, disallow, OF. reprover to blame, reproach, condemn (pres. il reprueve), F. r['e]prouver to disapprove, fr. L. reprobare to reject, condemn; pref. re- re- + probare to try, prove. See Prove, and cf. Reprove, Reprobate.] [1913 Webster]
- 1. To delay the punishment of; to suspend the execution of sentence on; to give a respite to; to respite; as, to reprieve a criminal for thirty days. [1913 Webster]
- He reprieves the sinnner from time to time. --Rogers. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To relieve for a time, or temporarily. [1913 Webster]
- Company, thought it may reprieve a man from his melaneholy yet can not secure him from his conscience. --South. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Reprieve'
From: GCIDE
- Reprieve \Re*prieve"\ (r?-pr?v"), n.
- 1. A temporary suspension of the execution of a sentence, especially of a sentence of death. [1913 Webster]
- The morning Sir John Hotham was to die, a reprieve was sent to suspend the execution for three days. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Interval of ease or relief; respite. [1913 Webster]
- All that I ask is but a short reprieve, ll I forget to love, and learn to grieve. --Denham. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'reprieve'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- absolution,
- afterthought,
- amnesty,
- benevolence,
- bind,
- block,
- blockage,
- bureaucratic delay,
- catharsis,
- cleanse,
- cleanse away,
- cleansing,
- clemency,
- commiseration,
- compassion,
- condolence,
- delay,
- delayage,
- delayed reaction,
- deliver,
- deliverance,
- detention,
- discharge,
- double take,
- dragging,
- emotional release,
- exculpation,
- excuse,
- exemption,
- exoneration,
- favor,
- feeling,
- forbear,
- forbearance,
- forgive,
- forgiveness,
- free,
- free from,
- freeing,
- give quarter,
- give release,
- give respite,
- grace,
- grant a reprieve,
- halt,
- hang-up,
- have mercy upon,
- have pity,
- hindrance,
- holdup,
- humanity,
- immunity,
- indemnity,
- interim,
- intermission,
- intermit,
- jam,
- kindness,
- lag,
- lagging,
- leniency,
- let off,
- let up on,
- logjam,
- melt,
- mercy,
- mitigation,
- moratorium,
- obstruction,
- paperasserie,
- pardon,
- pathos,
- pause,
- pity,
- postponement,
- purgation,
- purge,
- purge away,
- purging,
- quarter,
- red tape,
- red-tapeism,
- red-tapery,
- redemption,
- relax,
- release,
- relent,
- relief,
- remission,
- remission of sin,
- removal,
- remove,
- rescue,
- respite,
- retardance,
- retardation,
- ruth,
- save,
- self-pity,
- shrift,
- slow-up,
- slowdown,
- slowness,
- spare,
- sparing,
- stay,
- stay of execution,
- stop,
- stoppage,
- surcease,
- suspend,
- suspension,
- sympathy,
- take pity on,
- thaw,
- tie-up,
- time lag,
- wait